Braking the Cycle aims to provide young people with increased; employment opportunities, community connection and driver education meaning safer roads and safer communities. This is achieved via a volunteer mentor program designed to support learner drivers without access to a supervisor or registered vehicle to complete their logbook hours.

Why is it importantBraking the Cycle is an innovative program developed by Logan and Ipswich PCYC’s in response to a need identified by the community. Ipswich and Logan feature highly in regional unemployment statistics and following a meeting between community leaders, state and federal government and community organisations, it was identified that many people are willing to work however lack the simple ability to get to and from the workplace. Further analysis identified that this was most evident in young people aged 16 to 25 years who did not have the capacity to complete the mandatory 100 hours of supervised driving experience necessary to gaining a licence.

The 100 hour requirement has placed enormous stress on young people and acts as a significant barrier to getting a licence and engage in employment. Secondary to this, is the impact of poorly educated or unlicenced drivers on the roads and the devastating impact this can have on a community.

Braking the Cycle has been termed to highlight the links between obtaining a licence, employment and good social outcomes. In other words the program aims to not only empower young people to get their licence but to break the cycle of welfare, unemployment, and anti social behaviour.

Common reasons given by young people as to why they are unable to achieve their required log book hours include: